A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Biche family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1496 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg. à trois tourt. de sa.”
ArtoisArtois, c. 1663
Where the Biche Arms Were Recorded
Artois
Map of France showing where the Biche arms are recorded
The Biche arms were recorded in Artois, c. 1663.
Artois lay on the disputed ground between France and the Low Countries and was fought over for centuries. Families there held their land under arms, and a shield was how a fighting household was known.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Biche arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Artois.
Origin & History of the Biche Family in France
The family name Biche traces its roots to the northern region of Artois, where records confirm the presence of family members as early as 1663. During the seventeenth century, Artois was a landscape defined by shifting borders and the transition from Spanish rule to French sovereignty under King Louis XIV. Families living in this area often navigated a complex social environment shaped by agricultural traditions and the influence of local parish life. The name itself likely originated as a descriptive nickname, as the word biche refers to a female deer in French. In the context of rural life in northern France, such names were frequently bestowed upon individuals to highlight personal traits or associations with the local environment. By establishing themselves in Artois during this transformative period, the early members of the Biche family became part of the long-standing history of a region known for its resilience and deep connection to the land.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. on a bend gu. three bucks' heads or”
BerksBerks, c. 1620
Where the Biche Arms Were Recorded
Berks
Map of England showing where the Biche arms are recorded
The Biche arms were recorded in Berks, c. 1620.
Berkshire sat on the road west from London with the royal castle at Windsor in the middle of it. Court families bought estates within reach, and an estate near the court almost always came with a coat of arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Biche arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Berks.
Origin & History of the Biche Family in England
The history of the Biche family in England is rooted in the rural landscapes of Berkshire during the early seventeenth century. By 1620, records confirm that members of the family had established a presence in this region, likely working as farmers or tradespeople within the local parish system. During this era, surnames were often tied to specific geographic locations or personal traits, and the name Biche likely evolved from local dialects or Old English terms describing the family's immediate environment. Life for the family in Berkshire would have been defined by the rhythms of the agricultural seasons and the strict social structures of the Stuart period. As they navigated the challenges of seventeenth-century England, the family became part of the quiet, foundational history of the county, leaving behind traces in local parish registers and tax documents that mark their transition from local residents to established members of the community.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
biche
Old French term for a female deer or hind.
This name
BicheA nickname for a gentle person or someone who lived near deer habitats.
also spelled
Byche
Bish
Bych
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Gauvard, Claude. La France au Moyen Âge du Ve au XVe siècle. 2014
Lottin, Alain. Histoire des provinces françaises du Nord: Tome 1, De la Préhistoire à l'an 1661. 1988
Archives départementales du Pas-de-Calais, Série E: État civil et registres paroissiaux
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
